I try not to get too excited about diabetes “breakthroughs” or technology announcements. Years ago, before I even had a personal connection to type 1, I covered the Glucowatch and inhaled insulin as a TV health reporter. Never heard of them? Yeah, they didn’t work out so well.

So when Benny was diagnosed in 2006, I was a bit skeptical of the new technology our doctor talked about. Called the artificial pancreas, he described it as an insulin pump, a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and a computer. They’d work together to control blood sugar automatically, just like a working pancreas. It sounded great, but I was wary of getting my hopes up.

Six and a half years later, I think I’m ready to let them start to fly.

I recently got to check in with Tom Brobson. He’s JDRF’s National Director, Research Investment Opportuities and he’s also been testing the artificial pancreas for years.